The Bar Harbor Jazz Festival was the recipient of an extremely generous donation, enabling the purchase of the Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor and the implementation of a number of renovations. The initial focus will be to restore the historic building to her original 1932 glory. Improvements include: Mold remediation, seating, sound, restrooms, stage, dressing rooms, the speakeasy, and more.

The Criterion will be the venue to present a full compliment of movies interspersed with a number of live shows – music, theatre, dance, comedy – involving local school programs and community groups all year long.